Narrated by Art Malik, this fascinating documentary explores the lives and experiences of a group of inmates at South Asia’s largest prison, Tihar in Delhi, over the course of a year. Despite their backgrounds in murder, theft and drug trafficking, the inmates emerge as disturbingly rounded human beings.

Raymond, a 56-year-old Londoner, is accused of attempting to smuggle heroin, if convicted he faces a ten-year stretch in Tihar. Bhabuti, his wife Prempatta and son Rama are all serving life for the murder of Rama’s wife in a dowry killing. Prempatta’s infant daughter also shares their life of incarceration, until the day arrives when her parents have to face the harsh reality that she must leave the jail, to face an uncertain future on the outside without them. The pressures of Tihar and its sometimes brutal and yet occasionally exemplary regime, are skilfully captured in this heart-rending film.

Cary Rajinder Sawhney